Portrait of a Man, Possibly an Architect or Geographer

This portrait is the earliest known dated work by Rubens. The sitter, aged 26, has not been identified, but has been variously described, on the basis of the objects that he holds, as a geographer, an architect, an astronomer, a goldsmith, and a watchmaker. The watch must be independently significant as a vanitas motif. The engraving of the artist's name on the back of the copper plate is probably contemporary with the painting and is possibly Rubens's work. (http://www.metmuseum.org)